Unified Communications Industry News

Dec 04, 2012 (Close-Up Media via COMTEX) --
Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Bosnia-Herzegovina - Telecoms, IP Networks, Digital Media and Forecasts" report to its offerings.

In a release, Research and Markets noted that report highlights include:
Economic Malaise Risks Telecom Sector Recovery
Although a number of fixed-line operators offer services the market is dominated by the three incumbent operators, which hold a combined market share of 99 percent. All three incumbents are subject to specific obligations designed to improve competition.

Internet services are available through the incumbents and alternative operators. Internet usage in Bosnia-Herzegovina is showing signs of significant growth on the back of competition and the improved availability of services.

The three mobile network operators (MNOs), each affiliated with one of the incumbent fixed-line operators, provide near-national coverage. Their networks, being upgraded to support services based on HSPA technology; will in coming years support broadband in rural areas where fixed-line infrastructure is insufficient. In addition, mobile data and mobile broadband offers will provide future revenue growth given the limited potential of mobile voice services.

Market highlights:
- The mobile market makes up more than half of all revenue, with the fixed-line sector declining as customers adopt mobile-centric telecoms solutions.

- In late 2011 the regulator reduced licence fees for licence holders by 50 percent with the aim of encouraging further development in the telecom and broadcasting sectors. The reduction in fees is also expected to impact prices for telecom services for end-users.

- In late 2012 the regulator held a public consultation on draft rules to rebalance voice telephony services in Bosnia and Herzegovina to 2015. The rules are intended to establish price caps for providers of voice services with SMP.

- Connections speeds remain low, with the majority of lines offering data at up to 2Mb/s, and about 100,000 offering data at up to 4Mb/s. The number of 8Mb/s lines was only about 8,000 in early 2012.

- Fixed-line voice revenue has continued to slide, as customers migrate to VoIP and mobile services for voice calls.

- GDP in 2011 reached about 1.7 percent but is expected to show zero growth in 2012, partly caused by the ongoing economic difficulties of its key trading partners.

Data in this report is the latest available at the time of preparation and may not be for the current year.